Roof-lining system for motor-vehicle convertible roof

Abstract

A convertible-roof window has an outside edge juxtaposed with an inside edge of an outer frame. An annular molded seal fixed to and extending between the window and frame edges secures the window in the frame and is formed with a plurality of spaced and inwardly open seats. A flexible liner formed with a window hole has an inside edge juxtaposed with the seal. A stiff mounting strip extends along and is fixed to at least a portion of the window-hole inside edge of the liner. Respective outwardly directed mounting tabs unitarily formed with the mounting strip are snugly fitted in the seats. The inside liner edge is folded over and forms an elongated pocket receiving the stiff strip. In addition the liner edge is formed at the pocket with respective holes through which the tabs project. The liner edge is stitched adjacent the strip to close the pocket. This construction is extremely simple and neat.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a convertible roof: a window with an outside edge;   an outer frame with an inside edge juxtaposed with the window outside edge;   an annular molded seal fixed to and extending between the window and frame edges for mounting of the window in the frame and formed with a plurality of spaced and inwardly open seats;   a flexible liner formed with a window hole having an inside edge juxtaposed with the seal;   a stiff mounting strip extending along and fixed to at least a portion of the window-hole inside edge of the liner; and   respective outwardly directed mounting tabs unitarily formed with the mounting strip and snugly fitted in the seats.   
     
     
       2. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the inside liner edge is folded over and forms an elongated pocket receiving the stiff strip. 
     
     
       3. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 2 wherein the liner edge is formed at the pocket with respective holes through which the tabs project. 
     
     
       4. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 3 wherein the liner edge is stitched adjacent the strip to close the pocket. 
     
     
       5. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the strip is of metal. 
     
     
       6. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the seats are elongated parallel to the strip and the tabs are complementarily elongated. 
     
     
       7. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising clips elastically retaining the tabs in the seats.   
     
     
       8. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 7 wherein the clips are metallic. 
     
     
       9. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing element overlying an inner face of the seal, the strip having an outwardly directed inside leg bearing on an outside surface of the reinforcing element.   
     
     
       10. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 9 wherein the reinforcing strip is formed in each of the seats with a clip elastically retaining the respective tab. 
     
     
       11. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the seal includes a window part fixed to the window outside edge and a frame part fixed to the frame inside edge and fitting complementary with the window part. 
     
     
       12. The convertible-roof assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the seal is of polyurethane.